Morgan Freeman to help open blues fest

CHOCTAW, Miss., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Actor Morgan Freeman has agreed to help kick off the first Blues at Moon Music Festival at Mississippi's Golden Moon Hotel and Casino, organizers said.

Freeman, who grew up in Tennessee and Mississippi, is to join the Choctaw Princess and Miko Beasley Denson, chief of the Mississippi band of Choctaw Indians, in opening the inaugural festival, presented by Ground Zero Blues Club, this weekend.

Freeman is co-owner of The Ground Zero Blues Club, which is to open at the hotel and casino early next year.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Solomon Burke are on the bill to perform during the music festival.

Freeman is an Oscar-winning actor best known for his roles in "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," "Glory," "The Shawshank Redemption," "Unforgiven," "Bruce Almighty," "Million Dollar Baby," "The Bucket List" and "The Dark Knight."